A Nice Piece of Jewelery

"So I'll Cherish the Old Rugged Cross"

It was a really nice necklace. The cross dangling from the necklace was white and attracted attention. It could have been a sign of faith. It might have been an indication of a life changed by a relationship with God. It could have been a symbol of something different in contrast to the people of the current culture.

Or it could simply be a different piece of jewelery cast about the neck of a pop superstar. Unfortunately, the later is the case as the necklace dangled from Madonna's neck while she squirmed, danced, and sang. I am pretty sure that the necklace meant little more to her than any other bobble she could have worn.

My question for you this week is this - what does it mean to you? The cross....what does it mean? What impact has the cross had in your life personally? Is it something that you put up and take down...put on and take off...display for some and hide from others? Let me share with you what the cross means to me.

The Cross Reminds me of my Guilt

Were it not for my sin...my guilt there would have been no need for the cross. I suppose that if I was unaware of my need for the cross because of my guilt I could see it as little more than a nice piece of jewelry. But I know my guilt. I know the depth of the fall in my life. I know that I could blame no one else for my circumstance. I needed the cross. I need the cross. One of my favorite hymns says it this way:

"I've wandered far away from God, but now I'm coming home.

The paths fo sin too long I've trod, now I'm coming home."

Possibly you wonder why someone would want to be reminded of their guilt, let me explain. It's not that I want to remember all I've done wrong and all the pain and sorrow my actions have caused. What I'm reminded of is the depth of my guilt in relation to the depth of God's Love. Because...

The Cross Reminds me of Christ's Precious Price

While we were living in West Virginia we really fell on some difficult financial times. We were struggling to make it week to week. Buy groceries for our little family of four was hard, and the cost was great, but we had to eat. I remember one day getting ready to check out at the grocery store with our basket of groceries when our friend and deacon, Cliff Tolosa, approached me in the line. He and his son got in line in front of me and began unloading my buggy. The explanation he gave, "The Lord told them they needed to buy these groceries." They paid the price for me, and I have never forgotten their kindness.

My guilt, my sin, required someone to step up and pay the price. Romans 6.23 tells me that the price for my sin is death. If no one stepped into the gap for me then I would be required to pay that price myself. The depth of God's love and the wonder of His compassion is shown in that even in the midst of my rebellion and sin He sent Jesus Christ to the cross on my behalf. (Romans 5.8)

First Peter reminds us of the precious price paid for our redemption. And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. [1 Peter 1.17-19 NASB]

The Cross Reminds me of My Eternal Destiny

The cross is like a dividing post on the pathway of my life. There was a time when I was on the approaching side of the cross. In that place I was lost and without hope. I was walking a pathway of death and destruction.

In His love God brought me to the cross. When I realized my need for salvation God was there to grant it to me. Now I live on the eternal side of the cross where I walk with the Lord everyday and I look forward to eternal life in heaven. I can look back to the time when I trusted Jesus Christ and remember that in that moment my life was forever changed.

The Cross Reminds me of My Opportunity and Responsibility

Finally, the cross, whether I'm wearing it on a chain on my neck. in a patch on my shirt, or I'm bowing before it in worship and adoration, reminds me of the opportunity and responsibility that God has left in my hands. I have the privilege of sharing the love of Jesus with people who don't know Him. Years ago God used a song in my life to grip my heart, the words are like this:

"Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim 'til all the world adore His sacred Name"

Lifting the cross indicates that we need to live a life that displays Jesus for the world around us.

The Cross is More than an Accessory

For Madonna and countless others the cross around their neck is an accessory. For me the cross is the symbol of the most important aspect of my life.

Years ago a patrolman walking a beat in a big city noticed a young lad seated and crying on the curb ourside a candy store. When he asked he learned that the little boy had moved to town just a short while ago and was lost. He didn't know his address, phone number, or any information that would have been helpful. The officer began listing nearby landmarks to see if any of them sparked the child's memory. The school...the park...the library...the firehouse...but the child didn't have any idea where any of those places were. He was about to give in and bring the child to the police station when he spied the steeple of the church. He asked the young boy if he lived near the church and the boy's eyes got wide with excitement. "Yes!" he exclaimed, "I live near the big cross. If you can get me to the cross then I'll be home!"

That's the unheard cry of every person on the planet. For them to find their way home they need to be brought to the cross.

Lift High The Cross!

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

Pastor Dave's AWANA Openning Night Report - PHEW!

Pastor Dave's Opening Night Report from AWANA
"PHEW!!!"
What an incredibly busy, yet undeniably rewarding week this has been. I just put the finishing touches on the message for Sunday - back to the Cracks in the Sidewalk series - and the powerpoint is in the capable hands of Arrall. I have only got to finish the bulletin (unless there is someone out there interested in taking that little task over--call me.) It's a real feeling of accomplishment as I look back on the past few days, and I'm kinda basking a little right now in the warmth (btw it's 55 degrees outside for you folks in Florida) of the Lord.

PASTOR DAVE'S AWANA REPORT -
THE GREAT ADVENTURE
Last night we had an incredible openning night for AWANA. Many kids came, several for the first time. We had a total of about 63 here. I say about because it's incredibly hard to count children, but we had at least that many, and probably more. In addition we had several new volunteers working with us. I believe the Wednesday night move is going to be a good move. God has given me a vision of more than 150 kids in AWANA before the end of this year...He hasn't given me a vision of how, just that if we are faithful in sharing His Word with these kids and their families we will reach beyond our wildest dreams. It's fitting that our theme this year is "THE GREAT ADVENTURE" because that's what this year will be. We will be stretched and challenged in ways we never dreamed, and we will see things happen that we cannot explain other than to confess that God is doing God-sized things here.

WELCOME ABOARD AND WELCOME BACK
Welcome to our new workers: Arrall Austin, Dianne Crystal, Rick and Priscilla Williams, Tammy Farmer, Al and Diane Dube, Teresa Vanacor, and Brian Morris. Welcome back: Pat Kilburn, Pat Kilburn (that's not a typo), Heather Aldridge (soon to be Kilburn), Phylis Condon, Michele Davis, John Yaffee and Kim Meyer, and ofcourse Dave and Andie Bentley. In addition we must not forget that Terri is leading the cubbies on Sunday night and she's a real key to the success and effectiveness of the AWANA ministry. (BTW - if you are available she could really use some help in her club too.)

I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE
Some highlights from the night - I wish I had a video of these things.

-Tammy and Michele were eating with the kids when they realized that all the kids in the fellowship hall were part of the 24/7 youth ministry. Their eyes and faces showed a total amazement and I will never forget their expressions. Ask them to tell you what they thought at that precise moment. I laugh even as I write this...oh the joy!

-Rick Williams, a new member to the team, is driving one of the busses for us. (Thank God!!!) He was a little nervous at the beginning of the evening, but did excellent. Mike Steiner, my youth assistant on the bus last year was an asset to him in delivering the kids home last night. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Rick--and Big Pat last year--in their willingness to drive because it would be so much more difficult with just one bus running.

-Phylis is leading the Sparks part of AWANAs without any help and could really use some. She had eight young children in there last night I believe and needs people to come and just help the kids as they learn their Bible verses. Last night a new member in her class, Serenity, said the first part of John 3.16 to me. I can't express how much that moment means to me.

-Dianne Crystal and Priscilla Williams, two more of our new team members, put together a great Mexican feast for us. I don't think anyone really knew how many hungry kids God was going to send our way, but thank God He prepared and provided through the willingness of these ladies.

PRAY ABOUT THESE THINGS
It really was a great night, and things went incredbly smoothly for a first night. I would ask you to join us in praying for the following:

-More Workers to come and help. Andie can help plug you in where you are most needed and best fit. (Let me say that there were several workers who would normally be here last night that were not able to be with us, and we are really looking forward to their return.)

-There are so many needs represented in the children who are part of this. We are so blessed to be able to see the hand of God at work in their lives and in their family lives. I hope that you will join me in praying for God to work in special ways in the lives of the kids and their families.

-There are some specific things that we need as part of this minsitry and the overall ministry of PVBC. The following list is for your prayers and if possible you might be able to help us in providing something on the list.
A new (or in good condition) photo copier
Paper, Toner, and basic Supplies (Andie can help you know what we need)
Two or three people to take on the responsibility of overseeing clean-up and shut down at the end of the night. (This is a little selfish because I would like to get home with Andie before 10 if possible.)
An AWANA secretary to help keep records and assist us in the organizational aspects of the club.
Electricity in the Youth Building. (This is critically important)
Lights outside the building and around the property
There are more things, but let's start with this. The rest may show up later in a "Wish List."

OTHER CHURCHES ARE INVOLVED AS WELL
The primary purpose of AWANA is to help boys and girls come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus. We may have some of them become part of our church, and that is wonderful, but our focus is a kingdom focus. Children from other churches attend every week and I hope carry the message home with them and into their churches as well. We have invited, and continue to invite, children and adults from other churches to participate in AWANA.

One Last Thing for your Prayers and Support...
As part of AWANA we are actually part of a world-wide organization. In our area we have a wonderful missionary team, Jeff and Melanie Davis. I've had the opportunity to meet them a couple of times. We are blessed to have them. They assist in forming AWANA ministries in churches throughout Maine, New Hamshire, and Vermont. Just last week I received word that, as with so many things, their finances have really taken a hit. I hope that as one of the many AWANA clubs benefiting from their ministry we might be able to find a way to help them with a gift in the next month or so. For sure I want us to pray for them. I'm hoping to invite them down later this year so they can see what's happening in Springfield--I think they'll be blown away.

In Closing...A Tribute to the Most Important Person in My Life
I want to take just a moment to brag on my wife, please bear with me. I have watched her work herself silly getting ready for AWANAs...in part because I've been working along with her. She puts forth this kind of effort because she's dedicated and driven to seeing children know the Lord. There have been several nights in the past few weeks where it has been after midnight before she would drag herself to bed, and a couple of nights it was almost that late before she left the church building.
I'm not saying this just so I can wave my pompoms as her cheerleader--though I'm proud to do that. I'm telling you this because I want to say publicly--here on the internet where millions can read it--that I am so proud of her and the effort she puts forth. She rarely gets any thanks from me for all that she does as a partner in ministry, but I know that the primary reason that last night went as smoothly as it did was because of the work that she put in over the past weeks leading up.
There's a song that says, "When God made you He must have been thinking about me." No doubt, in His sovereignty God saw the numerous gaps in my life and form fitted Andie to be the perfect companion for me. I am proud and honored to be Andie's husband, and I am grateful that she is my wife.

Blessings,
Pastor Dave

"Cracks in the Sidewalk"
Discovering the things that might trip us up
and learning how God's Grace helps us up.

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Life Transitions

LIFE TRANSITIONS



It's hard to believe where I am today. I don't mean where I am physically located on 09/09/09, but where I am in the course of my life. At age 42 I'm faced with one of the big transitions in life. I'm officially "middle-aged." I'm facing the trials that people my age face. The "empty nest" as the kids move on with their lives. The aches and pains that remind me of my ever increasing limitations. The strain I put my eyes through because I'm too stubborn to go to the eye doctor for glasses.




Maybe I'm putting too much thought into this. But, as I walked this morning and looked at the leaves changing on the trees around the house I began to really contemplate the changes taking place in my life. I think that I can understand a little bit better why some men seem to "twist off" and start racing around in sports cars and chasing after women twenty years younger than they are. I can see how this transition point in life could bring an overwhelming sense of disatisfaction and loss into a fella's life.

Life offers us many transition points.

• First day of School
• Changing grades
• Starting that First Job
• Getting that Driver's License
• Your First Date
• Graduation Day
• Wedding Day
• Birth of your first child
• Your child's first day of school

And so the cycle goes. You watch your child going through all those transition points as they grow and remember with joy, and perhaps some saddness, those moments in your life. There are major transitions and minor transitions, but all of them carry with them the risk of hurt and the potential for reward. Each threshold of change in the course of life challenges us and calls us onward, and we are faced with the temptation--particularly at the transition point where I find myself today--to run back to earlier days and flee the reality of where we find ourself. Hence the sports cars and younger women.

The past few weeks I have been scanning photographs from my younger years into my computer. That's been a bitter-sweet experience. I love looking at the pictures of Andie and me during our dating and early married years. (You can find most of these pictures on my FACEBOOK page) At the same time it seems like I just blinked and woosh time zipped past. These transitions of life don't often come with grace and gentleness...instead it's like the unexpected shove that throws you into the lake. And there you are, stepping through the portal into another life stage. So, the choice is to embrace it...or try in vain to live in denial of it.

The other day I was heading to pick up my best friend and life partner, who after twenty one years of marriage and twenty four years together still gets my heart racing. On the way there I noticed a jet black mint Corvette for sale on the side of the road...I slowed down for a moment to give it the once over...then I just drove on past. I had better things awaiting me.

Your Fellow Traveler on Life's Journey - DB